Birthday trip...where to go?

[bullygirl979]

I'm turning 40 in April and P and I are talking about going away for a long weekend. We want to go somewhere warm, with either a pool or a beach and plenty of stuff to do. Price is a consideration (seeing as we are either moving or remodeling this year).

We were looking at Palm Springs but the hotel prices are insane. We found decent prices for Las Vegas or Austin, which we are considering. Anywhere else that we should look in to?

[tiramisu]

I mean, you already know one of my suggestions. There are hotels at a wide variety of price points here. I don't know if it will be as warm as you're wanting, though.

[neonpink]

bullygirl979, are you on the east coast? I think? If you're looking for warmth. I would head down to Mexico and possibly stay at an all inclusive. They always offer deals. I went to one for a long weekend in November and it was so relaxing to not have to think about anything. It was my first time doing anything like that.

[bullygirl979]

neonpink, yes, I am on the east coast. We did talk about all inclusives but I've already been to Mexico and did that kind of trip so looking for something different. P has traveled extensively in the Caribbean hence why I think we were sticking to the US.

[neonpink]

I was just thinking of flight costs. It can be cheaper to get to Mexico vs some of the islands in the Caribbean.

I really want to go to St. Lucia for my next Caribbean trip.

I absolutely adore St. Martin. I've been back 3 times. The last time after the hurricane. This last time we stayed in a cheap rental house and were gone at the beach most of the time. It was wonderful. We also went on coolest boat cruise. I follow him on fb and it makes me want to go back so bad. It was the most expensive thing we did that trip and it was worth it. (150 per person, I think) fishing and snorkeling if you want. They provide all the booze and food you possibly eat. We happened to be 1 of the two couples on board that day. I have never felt like such a rockstar. If you end up there let me know.

[neonpink]

Thinking about Vegas, check when you want to go. I used to do a lot of work out there and if there is a convention the hotel prices can skyrocket. I once paid $800 a night for the same hotel I usually got for $150! Not my money it was a necessary client thing but I still was like WTF.

A friend of mine just did a wine train trip through Napa Valley. It looked amazing. www.winetrain.com/the-wine-train/explore-the-train/

[bullygirl979]

neonpink, I don't disagree at all on the cost. I wish I could convince him to go to DR as the all-inclusives there are cheap as well. He won't go for it. As this is half bday trip and half vacation, I'm trying to find something that works for both of us. And please send me the cruise info! I do NOT want to do a "typical" cruise but I would do something like what you are talking about.

And I did look at the Vegas hotels and the price is reasonable. We found a really nice one for about $250/night, which is doable.

[doriswe]

Wisconsin is nice that time of the year....

[tiramisu]

For $250/night you could get a room at one of my favorite hotels around here. It's not right by the ocean, so it tends to be a warmer area, but it's further from things. It really just depends how warm you want and what you want to be able to do. I'm trying to think of other areas you might enjoy.

Instead of Palm Springs, you could always look at staying in Desert Hot Springs instead. It's close but cheaper.

[bullygirl979]

Feb 26, 2019 12:42:24 GMT -5 doriswe said:

Wisconsin is nice that time of the year....

I guess I should have placed a caveat on there there that I want my beaches to be made of sand and not snow. Lol.

[bullygirl979]

tiramisu, I'm definitely want to be able to lie out by a pool or on the beach and have some drinks. I think both Las Vegas and Austin are in the 80s mid-April, which I would consider perfect weather. So if where you are thinking falls in to that, please send me the name of it

And I will definitely check out Desert Hot Springs. Thanks for the recommendation!

[cuddlyevil]

Unless you're wanting to gamble or take in some shows, I would either go to Austin or Southern California.

Food's good in both and they'll be warmer than home for sure :-)

[bullygirl979]

Feb 26, 2019 14:16:10 GMT -5 cuddlyevil said:

Unless you're wanting to gamble or take in some shows, I would either go to Austin or Southern California.

Food's good in both and they'll be warmer than home for sure :-)

I do like to gamble and love shows. My only hesitation about Vegas is that I am not one to stay out super late. P has been to Vegas 5-6 times and says the clubs don't start picking up until around midnight, which would be 3 am our normal time. There is NO WAY I'd make it out that late, lol.

[tiramisu]

Feb 26, 2019 13:50:43 GMT -5 bullygirl979 said:

tiramisu, I'm definitely want to be able to lie out by a pool or on the beach and have some drinks. I think both Las Vegas and Austin are in the 80s mid-April, which I would consider perfect weather. So if where you are thinking falls in to that, please send me the name of it

And I will definitely check out Desert Hot Springs. Thanks for the recommendation!

Sadly, not mid-80s where I was thinking, not like low to mid-70s. Desert Hot Springs also has places to soak in water that is supposedly from natural mineral springs. It's also close enough to Joshua Tree to do a day trip into parks of the park, if you were interested.

[doriswe]

Feb 26, 2019 13:47:41 GMT -5 bullygirl979 said:

Feb 26, 2019 12:42:24 GMT -5 doriswe said:

Wisconsin is nice that time of the year....

I guess I should have placed a caveat on there there that I want my beaches to be made of sand and not snow. Lol.

You are sooooo high maintenance!!  

[doglove]

I know you already decided, but I would recommend the obx or Wilmington area. Great beaches and lots of things to do. I hear good things about Tybee Island in Georgia too and Charleston is a nice destination as well. Gotta plug the pretty south!

[bullygirl979]

doglove, I LOVE Charleston. Such a great area. I've never been to OBX. Is there much of a nightlife scene or is it more relaxing beach town?

[doglove]

Feb 27, 2019 12:39:10 GMT -5 bullygirl979 said:

doglove, I LOVE Charleston. Such a great area. I've never been to OBX. Is there much of a nightlife scene or is it more relaxing beach town?

There are plenty of bars and restaurants to check out, but a more relaxed vibe. Where we like to stay you can walk to a lot of places too.

[mags]

The Keys

Austin is fun fun fun

Since I don't gamble Vegas is ok

SC  has many nice beaches.

[mags]

Feb 26, 2019 10:03:54 GMT -5 neonpink said:

I was just thinking of flight costs. It can be cheaper to get to Mexico vs some of the islands in the Caribbean.

I really want to go to St. Lucia for my next Caribbean trip.

I absolutely adore St. Martin. I've been back 3 times. The last time after the hurricane. This last time we stayed in a cheap rental house and were gone at the beach most of the time. It was wonderful. We also went on coolest boat cruise. I follow him on fb and it makes me want to go back so bad. It was the most expensive thing we did that trip and it was worth it. (150 per person, I think) fishing and snorkeling if you want. They provide all the booze and food you possibly eat. We happened to be 1 of the two couples on board that day. I have never felt like such a rockstar. If you end up there let me know.

St. Lucia is one of my top 5 places!!! I love it there.

Not a huge fan of of St. M

[neonpink]

mags, I'll trust you on St. Lucia. I stayed at the Peace Lodge in Costa Rica because of you.

[mags]

Feb 28, 2019 10:56:21 GMT -5 neonpink said:

mags , I'll trust you on St. Lucia. I stayed at the Peace Lodge in Costa Rica because of you.

If you go to St Lucia I have a great place there too :0

I want to go back to Peace Lodge!!!

[neonpink]

Feb 28, 2019 21:24:30 GMT -5 mags said:

Feb 28, 2019 10:56:21 GMT -5 neonpink said:

mags , I'll trust you on St. Lucia. I stayed at the Peace Lodge in Costa Rica because of you.

If you go to St Lucia I have a great place there too :0

I want to go back to Peace Lodge!!!

Me too, I loved holding the Toucans. I went down there a few times to feed them. 

When I went a few Thanksgivings ago I  found a Groupon for staying there. It made it pretty cheap to go.  I periodically look to see if it's ever up again. 

[mags]

Mar 1, 2019 9:49:33 GMT -5 neonpink said:

Feb 28, 2019 21:24:30 GMT -5 mags said:

If you go to St Lucia I have a great place there too :0

I want to go back to Peace Lodge!!!

Me too, I loved holding the Toucans. I went down there a few times to feed them. 

When I went a few Thanksgivings ago I  found a Groupon for staying there. It made it pretty cheap to go.  I periodically look to see if it's ever up again. 

Well, if you ever find one again let me know@@

Stonefield Villas in St Lucia is my favorite